--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Much of doing and saying the right things…" description: "\"“Much of doing and saying the right things in social situations comes from understanding the rules of the culture game. Our world is a melting pot of v..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49d/travis-bradberry-18779_culture_much-of-doing-and-saying-the-right-thing_1398596.jpg" --- # Much of doing and saying the right things in social… ![“Much of doing and saying the right things in social situations comes from understanding the rules of the culture game. Our world is a melting pot of vastly different cultures. These cultures interact, live, and conduct business with each other according to very specific rules. There is no way…” quote by Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49d/travis-bradberry-18779_culture_much-of-doing-and-saying-the-right-thing_1398596.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49d/travis-bradberry-18779_culture_much-of-doing-and-saying-the-right-thing_1398596.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49d/travis-bradberry-18779_culture_much-of-doing-and-saying-the-right-thing_1398596.jpg) > ““Much of doing and saying the right things in social situations comes from understanding the rules of the culture game. Our world is a melting pot of vastly different cultures. These cultures interact, live, and conduct business with each other according to very specific rules. There is no way around it, and it is a requirement to learn how to become emotionally intelligent across cultures. The secret to winning this culture game is to treat others how they want to be treated, not how you would want to be treated. The trick is identifying the different rules for each culture. To make matters even more complicated, the rules you should be watching for and mastering include the rules not only of ethnic culture but also of family and business culture. How do you go about mastering multiple sets of rules at once? The first step is to listen and watch even more and for a longer period of time than you would with people from your own culture. Collect multiple observations and think before you jump to conclusions. Consider yourself new in town, and before you open your mouth and insert your foot, observe other people’s interactions. Look for similarities and differences between how you would play the game versus how others are playing it. Next,”” [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success in diverse social settings requires recognizing and adapting to cultural rules, treating others as they wish to be treated. **In simple terms:** Know cultural rules and treat people as they prefer. Key Takeaway Observe, listen, and adapt to cultural norms. Themes cultural intelligence communication empathy Mood thoughtful analytical Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - business negotiations - team collaboration - international travel Key Concepts social norms cross‑cultural competence behavioral adaptation Questions to Reflect On - What cultural cues do you miss most? - How can you practice active observation in daily interactions? A Different Perspective Adapting to every culture is impossible; focus on core universal values. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-culture-2/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Different cultures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-cultures/) [Emotionally Intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotionally-intelligent/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [Melting pot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melting-pot/) [Similarities And Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/similarities-and-differences/) ## Related quotes > [It's about really being considerate of the culture in the game studios that Activision buys. That's the biggest difference between us and any of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-kotick/it-s-about-really-being-considerate-of-the-culture-in-the-game/) [Bobby Kotick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-kotick/) > [Often we don't notice the stringent rules to which our culture subjects us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/often-we-don-t-notice-the-stringent-rules-to-which-our-culture/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [I mean, who made up all the rules in the culture? Men-white male corporate society. So why wouldnt a woman want to rebel against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-gordon/i-mean-who-made-up-all-the-rules-in-the-culture-men-white-male/) [Kim Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-gordon/) > [Five days a week, I read my goals before I go to sleep and when I wake up. 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To the medieval mind, the universe \[is\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-battles/the-middle-ages-did-not-care-much-for-alphabetical-order-because-they/) [Matthew Battles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-battles/) > [No one ever really 'learns' from history, because choices never present themselves in exactly the same way, and because you can always choose similarities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fallows/no-one-ever-really-learns-from-history-because-choices-never-present/) [James Fallows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fallows/) > [Everybody has their own way of remembering and every culture has their traditions. When you compare the similarities and differences to other cultures, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-james-olmos/everybody-has-their-own-way-of-remembering-and-every-culture-has/) [Edward James Olmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-james-olmos/) > [I'm fascinated by the similarities and differences between comedians and magicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-m-fascinated-by-the-similarities-and-differences-between-comedians/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) > [One can state, without exaggeration, that the observation of and the search for similarities and differences are the basis of all human knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-nobel/one-can-state-without-exaggeration-that-the-observation-of-and-the/) [Alfred Nobel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-nobel/) > [Western philosophers gained access to Asian and African traditions initially by noting similarities and differences. But that, as A.C. Mukerji, of Allahabad, was to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-l-garfield/western-philosophers-gained-access-to-asian-and-african-traditions/) [Jay L. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-l-garfield/) > [“Though we recognize distinct cultural differences across time and place, the commonalities warrant our attention. To think about how these ancient commonalities need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-h-walton/though-we-recognize-distinct-cultural-differences-across-time-and/) [John H. Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-h-walton/) > [For me, what works well about 'Life in a Day' is that it's emotionally affecting without being manipulative. It really does make you think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-macdonald/for-me-what-works-well-about-life-in-a-day-is-that-it-s-emotionally/) [Kevin Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-macdonald/) > [A rock band is a mysterious thing. Somehow, every once in a while, a few individuals bump into one another, and they look exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-light/a-rock-band-is-a-mysterious-thing-somehow-every-once-in-a-while-a-few/) [Alan Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-light/) ## More by Travis Bradberry > [“What follow are the most common types of negative self-talk with the keys to taking control of them and turning them around: 1.  Turn I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/what-follow-are-the-most-common-types-of-negative-self-talk-with-the/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Part of self-awareness is knowing what you’re going through even if you can’t totally change it. 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If you know you are likely to end up in a disagreement, start your discussion with the common ground you share.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/1-start-with-agreement-if-you-know-you-are-likely-to-end-up-in-a/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Social awareness is your ability to accurately pick up on emotions in other people and understand what is really going on with them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/social-awareness-is-your-ability-to-accurately-pick-up-on-emotions-in/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Your EQ is greatly affected by your ability to keep this road well traveled. 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Your brain grows new connections much as your biceps might swell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/plasticity-is-the-term-neurologists-use-to-describe-the-brain-s/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Since we’re hard-wired to experience emotions before we can respond to them, it’s the one-two punch of reading emotions effectively and then reacting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/since-we-re-hard-wired-to-experience-emotions-before-we-can-respond/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Approaching everyone you encounter as though they have something valuable to teach you—something that you will benefit from—is the best way to remain flexible,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/approaching-everyone-you-encounter-as-though-they-have-something/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Everything you see—including yourself—must travel through your own lens. The problem is, your lens is tainted by your experiences, your beliefs, and, without question,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/everything-you-see-including-yourself-must-travel-through-your-own/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Emotional intelligence is your ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/emotional-intelligence-is-your-ability-to-recognize-and-understand/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“That’s a tough pill to swallow because we’re not children or dependents; we’re adults. To support an idea, we need to understand why the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/that-s-a-tough-pill-to-swallow-because-we-re-not-children-or/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Your personality is a result of your preferences, such as your inclination to introversion or extroversion. However, like IQ, personality can’t be used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/your-personality-is-a-result-of-your-preferences-such-as-your/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) > [“Closing your eyes and thinking of emotionally arousing events is simply training for the real thing—spotting the physical signs of your emotions on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-bradberry/closing-your-eyes-and-thinking-of-emotionally-arousing-events-is/) [Travis Bradberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) [Explore all 34 Travis Bradberry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-bradberry/) ## More Culture quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. 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My literature has a universal concern: I want to bring people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/it-is-not-my-intention-to-explain-turkey-its-culture-and-its-problems/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I don't think the distinction between high and low culture exists anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-scott/i-don-t-think-the-distinction-between-high-and-low-culture-exists/) [Jeremy Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-scott/) > [You get below the Mason-Dixon line and you have some of the best music, culture, the two races, the literature, and it's so rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-duvall/you-get-below-the-mason-dixon-line-and-you-have-some-of-the-best/) [Robert Duvall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-duvall/) > [It is proposed that a form of free dialogue may well be one of the most effective ways of investigating the crisis which faces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bohm/it-is-proposed-that-a-form-of-free-dialogue-may-well-be-one-of-the/) [David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bohm/) > [“Being grounded in your lifelong culture and your personal perspective, you are comfortable with the way you see things and may believe it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/being-grounded-in-your-lifelong-culture-and-your-personal-perspective/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) [Browse all 15,940 Culture quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Much of doing and saying the right things in social situations comes from understanding the rules of the culture game. Our world is a melting pot of vastly different cultures. These cultures interact, live, and conduct business with each other according to very specific rules. There is no way around it, and it is a requirement to learn how to become emotionally intelligent across cultures. The secret to winning this culture game is to treat others how they want to be treated, not how you would want to be treated. The trick is identifying the different rules for each culture. To make matters even more complicated, the rules you should be watching for and mastering include the rules not only of ethnic culture but also of family and business culture. How do you go about mastering multiple sets of rules at once? The first step is to listen and watch even more and for a longer period of time than you would with people from your own culture. Collect multiple observations and think before you jump to conclusions. Consider yourself new in town, and before you open your mouth and insert your foot, observe other people’s interactions. Look for similarities and differences between how you would play the game versus how others are playing it. 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